The Detroit Lions are traveling to play the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football to close out Week 3. The Lions are 1-1, but it's always a tough task when going against Lamar Jackson.
When speaking to reporters on Friday, Detroit defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard revealed that he hasn't slept much this week as he's preparing for Jackson and that offense.
Lamar Jackson Has Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard Up at Night Preparing for Week 3
Sheppard, in fact, needs to come up with a creative game plan to slow down this Ravens offense. Through two weeks, Baltimore is 11th in the NFL in total offense (337), fifth in rushing offense (141.5), and first in scoring offense (40.5). They have scored 40-plus points in back-to-back games and look like one of the best units in the league.
This will be a big test for the Lions' defense, which has been solid to start the year. They are 10th in total defense (302.5), 12th in pass defense (196.5), and 15th in run defense (106). Stopping the rushing attack will be a priority for this team. Letting them establish that ground game will only open up things in the passing attack.
It's easier said than done, since Jackson has a remarkable ability to create plays off script with his arm and legs. In his career, Jackson is 2-0 against the Lions, with the last win coming in 2023. Sheppard was on the staff as the linebackers coach and saw Jackson go 21-of-27 for 357 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 36 rushing yards and another score. The Ravens cruised to a 38-6 win over the Lions at home.
Detroit doesn't want that to be the outcome again, and Sheppard is losing sleep in order to maximize all the time he has ahead of the game. And you can't blame him, but you have to give him praise for these efforts.
Instead of standing pat and not putting in the work to stop one of the best offenses in the league, Sheppard is making sure he's leaving no stone unturned.
The key to slowing down this offense is limiting the run, containing Jackson in the pocket, and forcing a couple of turnovers. That is a tall task, but it would give the Lions their best chance at stopping this offense. It'll be interesting to see if the Lions throw in some new wrinkles defensively. They need to come out fast and aggressive in this primetime bout against one of the best teams in the NFL.